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Itinerary for Nov 11 — Nov 19, 2015

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Day Three: Friday, November 13 - Lesser Town / Charles Bridge / Old Town

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Learn about some of the oldest styles of architecture in Prague during a discussion and lecture with slideshow. See visual examples of everything from Romanesque via Gothic and Baroque architecture to present day. Hear the stories that surround these incredible Prague monuments. At this time, you will be given detailed information about the many buildings you will see during your guided and independent explorations of Prague.

Lunch: Light lunch in the hotel dining room.

Afternoon: Witness the historical center of Prague for the first time on a bus excursion through its city streets. We will pass the elegant Paris Street (Parizska Street) with its art nouveau houses, the fascinating Jewish Ghetto, and even enjoy a short break in front of the Astronomical clock. We will also see the historic Charles Bridge, which was once the only way to cross the Vltava River and connect the Old Town to Prague Castle. Learn how to use the public transportation.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Day Four: Saturday, November 14 - Czech Republic from the 20th century to present d...

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Get acquainted firsthand with the impact of communist rule and the changes following the fall of the Iron Curtain, during a discussion and lecture entitled "Challenges of European Integration." The personal experiences of your lecturer will deepen your understanding of this time period.

Lunch: Light lunch in the hotel dining room.

Afternoon: Discover the wonders of Prague Castle, home of Bohemian kings and a textbook of Prague architecture itself! Standing tall amidst the magnificent Hradcany District, or Castle District, it is said to be the biggest castle in the world. Let generations of Prague architecture unfold before you as you explore the Prague Castle complex, including the Saint Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Morning: Follow the trail of Czech Fine Arts from ancient times to present day, and learn about the many personalities of the Czech Art School, during this morning's discussion and lecture. This lecture is an excellent introduction for a visit to the National Gallery, which includes exhibitions on Czech Impressionism, Art Nouveau and Cubism. Private buses will take you to the gallery for a self-guided exploration.

Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. You will be given a detailed handout with options on where to go during independent excursions. Perhaps you would like to take a walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery, Europe's oldest Jewish burial ground. Dating back to the 15th century, this cemetery gives account to generations of Jews who lived in the ghetto of Prague. Or visit the Old-New Synagogue, a surviving monument of Prague's Jewish Town and one of Prague's first Gothic buildings. Marvel at the Gothic gables and buttresses alongside those who still gather here to worship.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Day Seven: Tuesday, November 17 - Explore the Municipal House, a jewel of Art Nouve...

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.

Morning: This morning your program staff will transfer you by underground to enjoy an expert-led visit of the Municipal House. You will see the Smetana's concert hall, and the reception rooms that are not open to the public.

Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. Use this time to explore Kampa Island located near the Charles Bridge in the center of Prague. Separated from the Lesser Town by a channel called Devil's Stream, Kampa is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. The old mills that are preserved here, and the charming houses that border the water's edge, are worth the visit.

Description: Hotel Petr is located in a quiet part of Prague only 15 minutes walking distance or two tram stops from the city center and famous historical sites such as the Charles Bridge and the National Theater. The hotel was built in 1910 and was beautifully restored in 1995. It was newly furnished in 2009, welcoming you for a peaceful night's rest.

Morning: Take in a stimulating discussion and lecture entitled "Czechs - A Nation of Musicians." Your lecturer will introduce you to such Czech composers as Smetana and Dvorak, and give insight on Mozart's stay in Prague. Ponder what you have learned as you listen to various musical works by Czech composers.

Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.

Afternoon: Self-guided excursion. Use your last afternoon to explore an area of Prague you have yet to encounter. In the late afternoon, we journey to St. Salvator Church near Charles Bridge where we enjoy a classical concert!

Morning: Transfer to the Prague International airport (PRG) for departures.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities

Prague

Convent of St. Agnes of BohemiaThe Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia is a wonderful exhibition of medieval art in Bohemia and Central Europe, spanning from 1200 to 1550 AD.For additional information, visit: www.ngprague.cz

Mucha MuseumSituated in the 18th century Kaunitz Palace, the Mucha Museum displays the work of Alphonse Mucha, most widely known for the posters he made for Sarah Bernhardt in the fashionable world of fin-de-siècle Paris. On display are over 100 paintings, photographs, charcoal drawings, pastels, lithographs and personal memorabilia celebrating the life and work of this Art Nouveau artist.For additional information, visit: www.mucha.cz

Sternberg PalaceThe value of European art from the Classical Era to the close of Baroque is seen on permanent display, at the Sternberg Palace.For additional information, visit: www.ngprague.cz

Trade Fair PalaceThe Trade Fair Palace holds magnificent art from the 20th and 21st centuries. An English audio-guide is available, and a glass panoramic elevator enhances your view of this art all the way to the 5th floor.For additional information, visit: www.ngprague.cz

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

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The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!